In the summer (1213) a council was held at St. Albans, near London,
composed of representatives from all parts of the kingdom. It was the
first assembly of the kind on record. It convened to consider what
claims should be made on the King in the interest of the nobles, the
clergy, and the people at large. A few weeks later they met again, at
St. Paul's in London.
The deliberations of the assembly took shape probably under Archbishop
Langton's guiding hand. He had obtained a copy of the charter granted
by Henry I (S135). This was used as a model for drawing up a new one
of similar character, but in every respect fuller and stronger in its
provisions.